Island



No. 615,384. Patented nec. 6, |898.

- G. E. FRINK.

KNITTING MACHINE.

{Application led Malr. 9, 1892.)

(Nn Model.) 2 Sheets-*Sheet I..

I l li dat:

No. 6|5,384. Patented Dec. 6. |898.

G. E. FRINK.

KNITTING MACHINE.

(Application med Mm-4 9, 1S 92.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2`.

mn 6556.5 l H0722?.

UNiTEn STATES PATENT OEEICE. l

GEORGE E. FRINK, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE E. J ENOKES MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

KNITTING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,384, dated December 6, 1 898.

Application filed March 9, 1892. Serial No. 424,340. (No model.)

T all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. FRINK, of Pawtucket, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Knitting- Machines; and I do hereby declare the following speciiication, taken in con nection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof.

My invention relates to that class of knitting-machines designed for knitting stockings and in which the motion'is at times rotary, as in knitting the legs and feet, and is at other times reciprocating, as in knitting heels and toes.

In an application of even date herewith, the patent upon which was granted December 2l, 1897, No. 595,770, I have shown and described a machine of the class referred to in which the shifting of the main clutch to change the machine from rotary to reciproeating knitting, and vice versa, will serve to throw out of or into operation simultaneously a portion of the needles not required for heel and toe work and will also serve to throw into or out of operation the pattern-wheel, which governs the throwing out and in.of individual needles in narrowing and Widening; but in the machine of said application the clutch required to be shifted by hand, and none of the other operations referred to Were strictly automatic, but, on the contrary, the machine required the attention and assistance of the 0perator to observe when the clutch needed to be shifted and at the proper times to shift the same. Y

The primary object of the present invention, is to produce a machine of the class referred to which shall be thoroughly and entirely automatic in its operation and in which all the various changes and operations required in knitting a complete stocking, with its heel and toe, and including the change mental feature of the invention consists in certain combinations and arrangements of parts for producing such an entirely aut-omatic machine.

Another object of the invention is to enable the use of a comparatively short camchain for actuating the main shifting clutch. I have found in employing a cam-chain to actuate the shifting clutch of a knitting-machine that if said cam-chain be fed continuously one link at each revolution of the driving-gear to knit stockings of ordinary size and length would require a cam-chain of a length matic in all respects, and as there are consequently no hand operations to be performed in knitting the different parts of the stocking, there is no necessity for stopping the machine for the performance of such hand operations. On the contrary, the machine may in knitting certain kinds of stockings, such as stockings without tops, be run continuously, knitting stocking after stocking without stopping. In knitting stockings with tops, however, it is necessary for the machine to be at rest to enable the operator to apply the top.

A further object of the invention is to provide means which may be employed, when desired, for automatically stopping the machine at the completion of each stocking, but at no other time, and the means for accomplishing this result constitute the third feature of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a top or plan view of so much of a knitting-machine as is necessary to illustrate my invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail showing one of the camslides.

A represents a suitable frame upon which the several parts are mounted and supported. As the present invention does not relate es- IOO claas-i pecially to the knitting-head or its component parts, they are not represented in the drawings, except only the cam-cylinder A. The Letters Patent heretofore granted to Walter Aiken, Nos. 324,7 95 and 324,7 96, dated Au gust 25, 1885, show and describe a knitting-head and means for operating and controlling the needles well adapted for use in connection with the present features of invention.

B is the driving-shaft, suitably mounted in the frame. The shaft B is provided with a pinion B', which meshes with the gear-wheel B2, which in turn meshes with a pinion B3, loose on the shaft a. The gear-wheel B2 is provided with a crank-pin b, which is connected by a connecting-rod b' with a rackbar b2, the teeth of which rack-bar engage the teeth of another pinion b4, also loose upon the shaft ct. Connected with shaft a by a groove-and-spline connection is a movable clutch member C, adapted to engage either the pinion B3 or the pinion b4, and thus impart to the machine either rotary or reciprocatin g motion. The shaft a is connected with the cam-cylinder A' by suitable gearing, as shown and as more fully described in said Aiken patents.

D is a lever pivoted to the frame for operating the shifting clutch. The automatic operation of said lever and clutch will be described hereinafter.

A sliding bar c is arranged to slide' in the frame and is provided with two projections c c2, one of which, c', engages the groove of the shifting clutch, as shown in Fig. l, and the other, c2, is embraced by a fork at the end of a rock-arm d on a sleeve mounted on a stud d', secured to the frame. Secured to this sleeve is another rock-arm d2, to the end of which is connected one end of a link cl3, the other end of which link is connected to a pin or stud e, projecting from one of the segmental cam-slides e', (shown in dotted lines in Figs. 1 and 3,) which cam-slides serve to throw a portion of the needles simultaneously out of 'action when reciprocating knitting is to be done and to return said needles into action when rotary knitting is to be resumed.

E is apattern-wheel for controlling through intermediate levers the action of the pawls f, which actuate cam-slides for throwing out of and into action individual needles in the operation of narrowing and widening, all as more fully shown and described in said Aiken patents. The pattern-wheel E, however, has no blank space in its periphery, as has the corresponding wheel in the machine of said Aiken patents; but instead the pawl g, which operates said pattern-wheel, is arranged to be thrown out of or into action at the proper times.

F is the pawl-operating shaft; but the pawl g instead of being rigidly secured thereto is mounted loosely thereon, and a clutch g is connected to said shaft by a groove-and-spline connection. A sliding rod h is arranged to slide in the frame, and said sliding rod is provided at one end with a hub or collar h', having a depending fork h2, which engages the groove in the clutch g'. At its other end said sliding rod h is provided with a projecting pin or stud h3, which is embraced by the fork of the clutch-lever D, all as shown in Fig. l and all substantially as claimed in At-he patent hereinbefore mentioned. g

Referring now to the mechanism for automatically operating the main shifting clutch, G is an endless cam-chain, provided with cams z' upon its opposite sides and mounted on sprocket-wheels G G2. The lower sprocketwheel Gr2 is an idler, having its axle adjustably secured in a bracket t", attached to the frame. The other sprocket-wheel G is secured to a shaft j, mounted in the frame, to which shaft is also secured a ratchet-wheel H for feeding the cam-chain. As the cam-chain Gr is fed alongone of its camszwill strike against one of the arms of the fork of the clutch-lever D, and as the cam-chain is moved along said cam will serve to throw the lever D, and thus shift the clutch C and automatically change the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion, or vice versa. By properly locating and arranging the cams t upon the cam-chain the machine may be thus automatically changed from rotary to reciprocating motion, or vice versa, at just the times required in the knitting of a stocking. Thus by employing four cams t', two upon each side of the cam-chain, and by so locating and timing the rst of these cams that when the required number of courses to compose the leg of a stocking have been completed said cam will come into action to shift the clutch C to change the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion the machine will be automatically caused to perform the necessary reciprocating motions for knitting the heel of the stocking. By locating the next cam in series upon the opposite side of the chain and properly timing it with relation to the number of courses required in the heel said cam will, when the-heel is completed, automatically shift the clutch to change the machine back to rotary motion for knitting the foot. Then by properly locating and timing the next cam in series the machine will again, when the foot is completed, be automatically thrown back into reciprocating motion for knitting'the toe, and, iinally, by properly locating and timing the-fourth cam in series the machine will be again, when the toe is completed, thrown back into rotary motion for knitting the leg of the next stocking.

The throwing of the lever D and the clutch yC first iu one direction and then in the other under the action of the cams on the camchain, as above described, will, as above explained, serve to simultaneously throw the sliding bar oand the sliding rod h at the proper times, and thus serve when the machineis changed from rotary to reciprocating motion, for instance, to automatically move the cam-slides e so as to simultaneously throw IOO IIO

a portion of the needles out of action and also to throw the pawl g into action, so as to actuate the pattern-wheel E for controlling the automatic throwing in and out of individual needles during the operation of narrowing and widening. When the clutch C and its lever are automatically thrown inthe opposite direction to change the machine from reciprocating to rotary motion, the slides c and h will be likewise moved in the opposite direction and so as to automatically throw back into operation that portion of `,the needles previously thrown out of operation by the cam-slides e', and also so as to automatically throw the pawl g out of action, and thus stop the movement of the pattern-wheel E.

Thus by the combination and organization of parts above described the machine-is rendered thoroughly automatic in all respects, no hand manipulations on the part of the operator are required in changing from rotary to reciprocating knitting, or vice versa, and

loosely on the shaft F, carries a stud or projection which engages with and rides in the cam-groove lo. To the other end of this lever Z is pivoted the pawl m, which engages with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel H and serves cured to said shaft F is another lever Z2, to the end of which is pivoted a spring-pressed pawl m', which serves to turn the ratchet-wheel H' and the triple cam n. The pawl m has a tail or extension formed substantially in the arc of a circle, the lower end of which extension rides upon the triple cam n, the arrangementbeing such that when the tail of the pawl m is in a space between two of the acting faces 'a' of the triple cam n said pawl will be free to engage with a tooth of the ratchet-wheel H, as shown in Fig. 2; but when in the revolution of the triple cam n one of its acting faces n' has thrown outward the tail of the pawl m said pawl will be held in a position where it cannot engage the teeth on the ratchet-wheel H. A spiral spring n2 connects the tail of pawl m with the lever Z and tends tokeep the pawl in engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel H. As the camgroove la' has two acting faces, the lever Z2 and the pawl m will be moved twice, and consequently the ratchet-wheel H' will be turned two teeth at each revolution of the gear-wheel B2. The ratchet-wheel H' in the arrangement shown in the drawings is provided with eighteen teeth. Consequently said ratchet.- wheel will require to be moved siX teeth in order to move the triple cam 'n from a position where the tail of the pawl m occupies one of the spaces between the cam-faces n' to a position where the tail of said pawl m can fall into the next of said spaces in order. To move the ratchet-wheel H' six teeth will require three revolutions of the gear-wheel B2, and as the pawl m, although moved up and IOO three acting faces n' n' n'.

to actuate said ratchet-wheel, and thus to feed the cam-chain G. If no other mechanism were provided,the ratchet-wheel H would be moved one tooth at each revolution of the gear-wheel B2, and consequently the camchain would be fed along one link at each rotation of said gear-wheel, and this would be the simplest method of feeding the camchain. I have found, however, by reason of the large number of courses in a stockingl of ordinary size that to` so feed the cam-chain one link at each revolution of the gear-wheel B2 would require a cam-chain of a length that could not be conveniently contained wit-hin the compass of a knitting-machine. To enable the use of a comparatively short camchain, I have accordingly devised means for feeding the cam-chain intermittently instead of continously, and the combination of such means with the feeding mechanism already described constitutes the next feature of my invention. q

Mounted upon the frame of the machine is another ratchet-wheel H', to the shaft of which is also secured a triple cam n, having Upon the opposite side of the pinion B2 is another camgroove 7c', having two acting faces, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. Engaging with this cam-groove 7c' is a stud or projection upon the end of a lever Z', secured to the shaft F. Se-

down at each revolution of the gear-wheel B2, can engage the teeth of the ratchet-wheel H only when the tail of said pawl is in a space between the cam-faces n' on the cam 'n said pawl will actuate the ratchet-wheel H at only every sixth tooth of the ratchet-wheel H', or, in other words, the ratchet-wheel H will be moved a tooth only once every three-revolutions of the gear-wheel B2. Consequently the cam-chain instead of being fed continuously will be fed intermittently and only once every three revolutions of the gear-wheel B2.

By the mechanism above described and by reason of the intermittent feed produced thereby I am enabled to use a much shorter cam-chain than would otherwise be possible, and in thc arrangement shown a cam-chain may be employed only one-third the length of what would be required if said chain were fed one link at each revolution of the gearwheel B2. Of course by changing the number of teeth on the ratchet-wheel H' the camchain may be fed one link at every two, four, or any other number of revolutions of the machine, as may be desired, and the camchain may be made of a proportionate length.

As already pointed out, the machine above described is thoroughly automatic and, when desired, may be run continuously, knitting stocking after stocking without stopping. In knitting half-hose, however orstockings pro- IIO vided with tops it is desirable that the machine should be stopped at -the completion of each stocking to enable the operator to place in position the top for the next stocking. I have accordingly devised means for automatically stopping the machine, when desired, at the completion of each stocking, but which will enable the machine to run continuously at all other times, and the combination of such means with other parts of the machine constitutes the third feature of my invention.

I represents a second cam-chain supported by sprocketwheels I' l2, mounted on the frame of the machine. To the shaft of the sprocket-wheel l is also secured a ratchetwheel J for feeding the cam-chain I. Loosely mounted on the shaft F is a lever K, provided at one side with a projection o and carrying at its lower end a pivoted pawl p, which en-V gages the teeth of the ratchet-wheel J. The ratchet-wheel H carries two projecting pins or studs p p', arranged to engage the projection 0 on thelever K, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2. As the ratchet-wheel H revolves the pins p' strike the projection o, and thus swing the lever K, so as to actuate the pawl p and turn the ratchet-wheel J to feed the cam-chain I, said ratchet-wheel being moved two teeth and the camch'ain fed two links at each revolution of the ratchetwheel H. A lever L is pivoted to the frame at r, one end of which lever is arranged to lie in the path of the cam s on the cam-chain I, the other end of said lever being arranged to engage a sliding bar M, which said sliding bar is to be connected to the belt-shipper (not shown in the drawings) for shipping the belt to stop the machine.

Thecam-chain I is provided with a cam s, and this cam is so located and timed that as saidcam-chain is fed along by the mechanism above described said cam will be brought to a position to actuate the lever L and bar M and automatically stop the machine at the completion of each stocking. At all other times the machine will run continuously and automatically perform all the necessary changes and operations required for knitting a complete stocking, including the heels and toes thereof. After the operator has placed in position the top for the next stocking all that is necessary to be done is to simply start the machine, which will again run continuously and automatically perform all the necessary changes and operations until another complete stocking is knit, when the machine will be again automatically stopped. Vhenever stockings without tops are to be knit, the cam-chain can be removed or its feeding mechanism disconnected, andthe machine will then run continuously and withj out any hand manipulations on the part of the operator, knitting stocking after stocking entirely automatically.

I do not claim, broadly, in this application the combination, witha main shifting clutch,

of mechanism for controlling the operation of a portion of the needles not required in narrowing and widening and means for connecting said mechanism with said main shifting clutch; nor do I claim, broadly, the combination, With a main shifting clutch, of pattern mechanism for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, devices for operating said pattern mechanism, and means for connecting said operating devices with said main shifting clutch; nor do I claim, broadly, the combination, with a pattern-wheel for effecting the automatic throwing in or out of individual needles in the operation of narrowing and Widening, of

a pawl for operating said pattern-wheel, and

means for throwing said pawl into or out of operation at'the proper times, said combinations being the subj ect of claims in the application of even date hereinbefore referred to, said application being Serial No. 424,339 and having become Patent No. 595,770 December 21,1897.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In a knitting-machine, the combination of mechanism for controlling the operation of the portion of the needles not required in narrowing and widening, means for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and Widening, actuating devices therefor, mechanism for throwing said actuating devices into and out `of action at the proper times, and mechanism for automatically changing the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa, said lastmentioned mechanism being directly connected with the other mechanisms referred to, whereby the automatic changing of the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa will directly and automatically effect the throwing out of or intoaction of that portion of the needles not required in narrowing and widening, and likewise directly and automatically elfect the throwing in or out of action of the means for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowin g and widening, substantially as described.

2. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with means for giving to said machine either a rotary or a reciprocating motion, of a shifting clutch for changing from one motion to the other, mechanism substantially as described forautomatically shifting said clutch, mechanism substantially as described connected with and operated by said shifting clutch for automatically controlling the 0peration of the portion of the needles not required in knitting heels and toes, means for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, and mechanism substantially as described connected and operated simultaneously with said shifting clutch for automatically throwing into and out of action at the proper times said means for controlling the operation of indi- IOO IIO

vidual needles in narrowing and widening, substantially as described.

3. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with means for giving to said machine either a rotary or a reciprocating motion, of a shifting clutch for changing from one motion to the other, cam-slides for throwing out of or into action simultaneously the portion of the needles not required in knitting heels and toes, mechanism substantially as described for connecting said shifting clutch with said cam-slides, a pattern-wheel for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, a pawl for operating said pattern-wheel, devices for actuating said pawl, mechanism substantially as described connecting said devices with said shifting clutch for throwing said pawl into or out of action, a cam-chain for automatically controlling the movements of said shifting clutch, and mechanism for feeding said camchain, substantially as described.

4. In a knitting-machine, the combination, with means for giving to said machine either a rotary or a reciprocating motion, of ashifting clutch for changing from one motion to the other, mechanism for automatically effecting the shifting of said clutch, said mechanism comprising a cam-chain, and mechan ism operated bythe driving-shaft of said machine for feeding said cam-chain intermittently, whereby a cam-chain composed of a less number of links than the number of courses to be knit maybe employed, substantially as described.

In a knitting-machine, the combination with a cam-cylinder and means for imparting thereto rotary and reciprocating motion, of mechanism for automatically changing the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa, camslides, and mechanism substantially as described for automaticallyT actuating the same at the proper times in knitting heels and toes, means for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, actuating devices therefor, and mechanism substantially as described for automatically throwing into and out of action at the proper times such actuating devices, substantially as set forth.

6. In a knitting-machine, the combination of mechanism for automatically changing the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa, said mechanism embodying a pattern device, mechanism for controlling the operation of the portion of the needles not required in narrowing and widening, and mechn anism for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, said three mechanisms being connected together so as to be operated by said pattern device, whereby all of the operations referred to may be automatically controlled by a single pattern device, substantially as described.

7. In a knitting-machine, the combination of mechanism for automatically changing the machine from rotary to reciprocating motion and vice versa, said mechanism embodying a shifting clutch and a cam-chain, mechanism for controlling the operation of the portion of the needles not required in narrowing and widening, and mechanism for controlling the operation of individual needles in narrowing and widening, said three mechanisms being connected together, whereby all of the operations referred to may be automatically effected by the shifting of said clutch under the action of said cam-chain, substantially as described.

GEORGE E. FRINK.

lVitnesses:

W. H. THURsToN, S'. J. MURPHY. 

